I Listened to Tommy For The First Time! I Vinyl Monday

[@MarkDauner]

To me, the rock opera "Tommy" is the perfect avatar for Pete Townshend: somewhat pretentious, at times insufferable, with a twinge of creepiness and a little too much creativity for its own good - all of which is saved by moments of pure genius that raise the hair on my arm and put a lump in my throat. Tommy's not my favorite of The Who's catalog, but it sure has some incredible moments.

[@abigaildevoe]

pinning your comment so others can see, you've summarized this better than i ever could! "go to the mirror" was one of those moments for me, that song hits a little too close to home. it's a bright light

[@dannyize]

The denouement of Tommy is disappointing, compared to its brilliant introduction and rise to Tommy's climatic "awakening" at his doctor's office. Sonically, Tommy is brilliant. No real synths here, if I'm correct, but the studio guitar effects are mind-bending. I love the vocals, too. It's interesting to listen to three consecutive Who albums for their production technique: _Sell Out, Tommy,_ and _Who's Next._ _Who's Next_ could be a hit record today, the engineering is superb. _Tommy_ was the end of a guitar-based era and still holds up very well; it has a solid structure. _Sell Out_ was pop art and holds pretty well, considering (I think) it was a four-track recording. The Who did not have Beatles or Moody Blues level resources at that time. It is hilarious and tender at the same time.

[@fallspeed]

The live performances are even better. Check out the one on Live at Leeds deluxe version.

[@TheReal1953]

@@dannyize No "synths"....not sure about that. Lots of popular use of the Mellotron in those days. Not sure if "The Who" used it. A great way to bring an orchestra into a recording studio without really being there. But that's a taped-based machine and not a true 'synth".....close!

[@dannyize]

@@TheReal1953 No mellotrons or synths on Tommy. Who's Next was a showcase for the newly-released ARP synthesizer. Next level stuff. I really like the mellotron sound. I don't think PT ever used one on an album; surely he must have had access to them. He had plenty of tricks of his own. The guy is a sonic genius IMO. An earlier song that people wrongly assume had synths was Cream's _White Room._ It was done with guitar.

[@foursail100]

I saw the Who perform their entire rock opera, Tommy, at the Fillmore East in October 1969!

[@richardelliott8352]

I am almost glad I missed that particular show, for I only saw them once, and they blazingly preformed material I liked much better. I still remember the insight I gained when the band stopped during a climatic moment of teen age wasteland , stopped dead, and pointed out at the audience , screaming, " you're all wasted", in an accusatory tone , an interpretation I never got from listening to the record. Of course the audience went wild instantly and cheered in agreement. and then the song continued. At times, crowd interaction can really add to a performance.

[@vinylrules4838]

I did not not see Tho Who until 1989. A coworker had tickets to take his girlfriend. The day before the concert he came into work and said "Do you want to go see The Who tomorrow night?" Heck yah! I can't remember who broke up with who, but is was a GREAT concert!

[@ALFONIC]

That's incredibly cool my friend, safe to say I'm a bit envious! (Born in the 90s)

[@TTM9691]

That is fantastic.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

Dude, you are so lucky. To see a great band at the Fillmore East.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I think one of the reasons Townshend wanted songs like "Fiddle About" and "Cousin Kevin" on there is because he was - unbeknownst to himself - writing something much more autobiographical than he understood at the time. He didn't fully realize this until he went into therapy decades later. He couldn't write the songs because the material cut too close for him, so he asked John to do it. For years, he didn't quite understand why so many connected to the piece...but I think it was when he was either putting on the Broadway show (or after its success) when he chanced upon the idea that A LOT more people connected with the abuse than he ever imagined. Tommy is, for me, his 3rd best rock opera after Quadrophenia and Lifehouse. I mean, Quadrophenia and Who's Next might be my 2 favorite albums of all time, so it's not really a knock on Tommy. I think "Underture" is probably my favorite tune. Unlike Quadrophenia and what would have been Lifehouse, Tommy has songs that aren't inessential, necessarily...just less than. It's probably my 5th or 6th favorite Who album - after Quadrophenia, Who's Next, The Who Sell Out, Live At Leeds and Odds And Sods, maybe. The movie is really strange. I mean, if you think the plot on the record is weird, Ken Russell amped up the weirdness. Ann Margaret and a room full of beans, if you haven't watched it yet. Crazy. The synthesizers on the songs - he re-recorded everything - are borderline brilliant and/or anxiety-inducing.

[@dennismason3740]

Please do The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and if you've never heard it give it a few dozen listenings. Talk about convoluted! It is amazing.

[@joshuadavies9275]

Or - Foxtrot!

[@cbm19601]

Almost Famous was and is a classic....I lived through that time....A joy to watch. Tommy is Townsend's masterpiece. Points for mentioning S.F. Sorrow by the way :)

[@KING7CANTONA]

Sf sorrow is my fav album , stronger album than Tommy imo

[@rogersdiephouse1894]

Hi,Just watched your video about Tommy. As someone who saw it performed at Woodstock I agree live is so much better than the album. You are doing such a great job! As a hippie who lived through the 60’s I am learning allot. Keep up the good work!

[@abigaildevoe]

wasn't really big on the who until i watched live at leeds and isle of wight, now i'm a believer!

[@ice9snowflake187]

Few automatic changers "flipped" records. They had a spindle that records were stacked at the top part of, with a "stabilizing arm" to keep them from flopping around. When the tone arm of the player got to the end of a record, it automatically lifted, moved aside, while the thing on the spindle keeping the next disc up, retracted. Gravity, with the weight of the stabilizing arm, would make the next record drop to the turntable as the retracted thing on the spindle snapped back to prevent the record above from falling. The tone arm would automatically swing and drop on the next record, and play it. When a stack of records (4 or 5, max) was played, one would get up and turn everything over, and re-mount them on the spindle.

[@steevvvippch5589]

...and if you have just the two lp from Tommy stacked on the spindle with side one on the bottom (playing first) and side two (on second lp) on top, when they are done you can just flip the pair and side three will be on the bottom and play first, then side four. Having the sides sequenced that way saves you having to shuffle them or turn them separately. If you had a 3 LP album, they would/could similarly put sie one and six on one LP, 2 and five on next LP, 3 and 4 on third LP

[@steevvvippch5589]

video of record changer working kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYKooq2Qha16irssi=eAHWhMoYCkJVziRh

[@donaldgibson4459]

I listened to Peter Towsand's book on audio a couple of years ago. I saw them in 1975. Bob Marley and the Wailers opened for The Who. His Rock Opera was pretty much his childhood story. One of the toughest stories that I have read, or heard. His parents pretty much abandoned him for part of his childhood. The Orbes that apear in the movie represent a sound that he heard as child, that he later tried to reproduce through his music. A bright type of sound. He loves the Oceans of the world. That can be heard throughout his Rock Opera Quadraphonia. He had a mental breakdown, while making thier 3rd rock Opera album called'Light House'. It was never finished, and release as the album ' Who's Next'. Later Light House might have been ripped off and became the basis for the movie The Matrix. At least they were very similar stories. It's a really great audio book. I really think your shows are great, all of them. Thanks alot for making them. Anne Margrets performance in Tommy was incredible.

[@ConglomerationCat]

This album holds very dear to my heart. My uncle was the one who introduced this album to the family circle when I was a toddler in the 70's. He use to to bring this over to our house and lay on the couch or often the floor and listen to it on our quadraphonic system. My father would eventually dub it onto reel to reel. As a child, It was completely mesmerizing. Pretty brainiac for someone who was only 22 years old at the time it was composed. Just the musicality alone is incredible much less the content for it's time. My uncle has passed quite a few years ago and I lost my father a month ago. I thank them both for playing what's now in my top 5 albums of all time. Thanks for recognizing this. It brought a tear and a smile.

[@eidoscognitio]

I´d love to ask you some questions about this work. Do you think that the 3 mandatory pauses while listening to a double LP are part of the required ritual to enjoy this masterpiece? I even think they thought of that. Just asking.

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@eidoscognitio That's a really good, thought out question... I think for the vinyl edition when you physically have to get up to turn the record over, it gives you time to digest the side you just heard. Gives you time to process. Then when you start the other side or the other record, it's starting another "chapter" of the "book" so to speak. When my father dubbed it onto a reel to reel tape, it was a continuous flow. So it really depends on the listener. I grew up with both formats.

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

Tommy was a great instructional album for a young guitar player! You can really hear the tracks!

[@JBLClassic]

Watching this just reminded me I had one of those console stereos with the stackable records in my room when i was a little kid. Why on earth my parents would've put that big ass thing in there is beyond me.

[@Stephen09479]

A great live album by the Who which contains some of the best parts from Tommy is Live At Leeds. Some of it is mingled in on an extended version of My Generation. Worth checking out! Cool vid!!!

[@joshuadavies9275]

My favorite live album ever

[@bobdarlington4634]

This was never my favourite Who album, but your video has made me re-visit for the first time in many years, and I've enjoyed listening to it again, so thank you for that Abigail. I really got into the band through the early singles and albums, and was lucky to see the original band live at their peak, and what a show they always put on !

[@ronnywilson2112]

I love that album is a masterpiece. I had the opportunity to get into The Who back in 1991-92 because of my mom who loves their music and the whole 1960's British Invasion. I love them they are one of my Top 10 favorite bands ever!. I think their music was a lot innovative back in the day mixing R&B with Blues, Jazz and Rock and Roll just like the Beatles/Stones, The Small Faces, The Pretty Things, The Zombies, The Kinks, The Spencer Davies Group, The Animals, The Hollies, The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Blues Breakers, Donovan, The Creation, The Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, etc. New subscriber and fan here, love ya...✌🌹

[@abigaildevoe]

i love that the who weren't afraid to experiment and tackle big ideas, even if they didn't always work out quite they way they pictured. thanks for subscribing!

[@jmfloyd23]

Tommy is an album you must have in your collection! I have the factory recorded reel to reel tape of this album. It’s a double reel issue with a booklet in the box.

[@marktait2371]

max awesome my bro and and shopping indie store years ago saw was big dollars even then cool package must be way more today we had original polydor but sold many years ago but found same at antique store g.c. for only 20.dollars plus had picked up.few others owner gave me 20.percent off on all nice copy foldout photos but reel copy must be big dollars today cool.you have one must be kind of rare now

[@jmfloyd23]

@@marktait2371 Hey Mark! Yes my reel tape issue must fetch some big dollars. Years ago I had an original Decca Lp pressing.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

I used to have that record that had the booklet. I had give it away because I had to pair down some stuff.

[@stoneyboyd]

2:57 OMG! So THAT’s what it is! I have a vinyl copy of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of War of the Worlds that is just like that. Side 1 and Side 4 are on the same record. I had always wondered if it was an error with the Pressing. Thank you for explaining the reason for that.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I first encountered that with the vinyl cast album of Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd. I thought it was a pressing error, too.

[@malcolmsmith5271]

A ‘difficult’ album for sure, with both its lows and highs. An excellent summation of a classic album. Loving your enthusiasm for the music of the 60’s and the 70’s.

[@twstrchasr]

Get a copy of the extended cut of Live at Leeds. You won't be disappointed

[@NewFalconerRecords]

That's the definitive version in my opinion. It's all killer and no filler. It's hard to listen to the original album after that, it sounds so flat and lifeless by comparison.

[@micksbiggestfan4006]

Random thoughts. I saw the 30th anniversary tour '89 of "Tommy". 3+ hrs of music! "Almost Famous" is a now a Broadway Musical. The Who's performance on "Rock and Roll Circus" is rumored to be the reason it took so long for the show to be commercially released. Jagger purportedly felt upstaged. Both the Who and the Stones toured in '89. When the Who played "Long Live Rock" they showed a video collage that included the Stones. When the Stones played "It's only Rock and Roll" they showed a video collage that included The Who.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

I think they've also performed the whole album at Woodstock if I'm not mistaken.

[@raywilliams1083]

The movie Tommy is a must see and shot the band to stratospheric heights .

[@bertieborough]

A good deep dive on Tommy and I learned some things I didn't know. I was thirteen when Tommy was first released and so it was a major influence on my life and music development. I think that Elton sang Pinball Wizard in the first movie of Tommy as well as the second and Tina Turner sang the Acid Queen from memory, I could be wrong after all it was a few week ago. In saying that Quadrophenia will always be my favorite Who album while Who are you is my favorite Who song. Interesting that Cream established themselves to be the "Supergroup" while Keith was arguably as good as Ginger Baker was, John Entwistle was probably a better Bass player than Jack Bruce and Pete Townsend is as legendary a guitarist as Eric Clapton is. Oh by the way, my first time visiting your channel and I doubt it will be the last. Thankyou.

[@ogam5]

.....without getting into specifics, Tommy contains MULTIPLE echoes of my OWN childhood, Abby - so, a PROFOUNDLY-personal experience - and, can TELL you Russell's film BIGLY eclipses the album; Daltrey singing "See Me, Feel Me" as the sun rises - may be THE most powerful scene in ALL motion picture history; ONE of 'em for sure, anyhow......

[@whatnow2626]

Great information, Abby. It's good to see the younger generations appreciating these great rock albums. I'm a generation X'er, but I too prefer 60's rock music. Keep up the good work. ✌️

[@adamfindlay7091]

Great. I think this is the perfect if not only concept longplayer.

[@rickpiepers]

You really should see the movie !! Oliver Reed is great. Ann Margret, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner and not to forget Keith Moon as actor..

[@jltrem]

The first double album that I bought that had a side1/side 4 and side 2/side 3 labeling was The Jimi Hendrix Experience "Electric Ladyland" which I bought in October, 1968. i was very impressed by the album side lineup.

[@thomasrichmond601]

It’s a beautiful thing, happy to know your finally listening to it. 🥰😘✌️

[@officalhumblefish565]

Your videos can always cheer me up on my worst of days. You're the greatest 😘😘🧡🧡

[@abigaildevoe]

:) that's what i'm here for!

[@kenchristie9214]

This is the first rock opera. Pete penned the songs specifically to be performed on the stage just like a classical opera. Saw the film in 1975, and with the six speaker "stereo" and it was spectacular. The film, directed by Ken Russell commences during WWII. Other albums such as Days Of Future Past by the Moody Blues is a combination of related songs that signify the passing a single day. Sgt. Pepper's was produced to represent The Beatles in a live concert. That is why there are no breaks between the tracks. John "Thunder Fingers" John Entwhistle, is the bass guitarist I have heard. John refers to himself as a rhythm bass player.

[@yannmounier2123]

I loved it at the time,but i agree Live it was even better.Thank you for your comments.

[@Frank_nwobhm]

BTW, "Christmas" is my favorite track on Tommy.

[@careycummings9999]

Another great review Abby. You should DEFINATELY see the movie, if for nothing less than the individual performances from Tina Turner, Elton John, and Ann Margret(who you remind me of with your vintage looks!). Pete Townsend had an even more convoluted project after Tommy called "Lifehouse", which got so confusing, that he eventually had a nervous breakdown, and they just put some of the songs on Who's Next. He is a genius, but, like many genius', has a hard time relating his vision to a wide, commercial audience. Keep up the great work.

[@abigaildevoe]

lifehouse is where "the chord to unite the world" concept came from, yes? i kind of wish townsend had been able to see that one through, it would've been cool to hear where exactly he was going with that

[@axelazaryan]

GREAT album but I LOVE DEEPLY,THE WHO SELL OUT,A POP-ART MASTERPIECE GREAT VIDEO ABBY!

[@abigaildevoe]

the who sell out is my favorite album of theirs!

[@axelazaryan]

@@abigaildevoe OH YEAH!

[@richardelliott8352]

I have to agree, and count myself lucky to have scored a very nice sounding English pressing when it first came out. Boris is a spider is one of my favorites from that album, and of the bands entire work, as silly as that sounds.

[@axelazaryan]

@@richardelliott8352 hello! If I remember correctly that song was from A Quick One, also another great album by the way, especially Whiskey Man! Two GREAT songs by Entwistle! Cheers!

[@richardelliott8352]

@@axelazaryan thanks for the correction. no doubt I was in error, as I have a double album , a two for one deal where the two albums share a double fold out cover, that I didn't want to go pull out and check. I really appreciate the help, I would never want to give bad information , and will double check my memory in the future.

[@fbg1835]

Great video, an overture of fun 🤘and a deep dive of information and your take on it was interesting… rock on

[@johnwelch5132]

Good Morning Campers! One of the best and cleverly amusing reviews you’ve done. As a live recording amazing what they did as a four piece band. Love you now like Pinball Wizard. The Live at Leeds CD reissue has the Tommy material. There are extra songs in the film. If you can ignore Clapton’s hair in eyesight for the blind, the Elton John Pinball Wizard sequence is exquisite. Pure Ken Russell. Want platform shoes, he has ‘em. Tommy was never a clear LP narrative story wise. But that made it fun…and interesting. Isle of Wight pretty good. Cousin Kevin and Uncle Ernie were very dark characters 😊

[@abigaildevoe]

interesting, thanks! always felt like this was one of my weakest, it's high on the list of albums to revisit for that reason

[@fosterern]

I heard Tommy in 1969 when I was 18 years old. Nothing like it before had I heard. Didn't understand it but just loved the connectiveness of it. I think you are right Abigail, its a good recording but hearing it live is better. The Who was just better live. Nicely done. Thanks.

[@stephensorensen4477]

Tommy and Quadrophenia have some of the best drumming ever recorded. Quadrophenia is my second most favorite album. If you haven’t already listened to it, ( and even if you have, ) I highly recommend it.

[@markrogers5727]

Awesome commentary as usual. Have you heard of Love? Check out Forever Changes (1967). Great lost 60's classic.

[@patlampo9288]

I love the keyboard 🎹 in the overture. Amazing Journey is soooo awesome ✨as a drummer I love playing thru the Tommy album but Amazing Journey is so very challenging for me on the drums- there is a part where your timing has to be just right on-still working on it😀🥁✨I love Tom’s Hloiday Camp 🎶 song-it is just very happy sounding to me-✨✨✨Have a wonderful week Abigail and see ya next week✨🦋✨

[@donaldgibson4459]

I watch that movie, and Quadrophonia every few years. I own them both. I listen to Tommy and Quadrophonia on long drives.

[@mercurialmagictrees]

What a quirky album. Entertaining video. Happy vinyl Monday!

[@TTM9691]

I'm watching these videos and thinking "I've got to ask if she's read the Miss O'Dell book and I see it sitting there right on your bookshelf, ha! Always one step ahead of us, you've been very thorough, you've got it all covered! Speaking of The Who, I've got a book for you to get: "Maximum R&B". It is one of the greatest rock & roll books ever. Also, a must for you: the movie 'The Kids Are Alright". For me, that's the greatest of all rock and roll movies. Ok.....I'm two seconds into the video and I'm already commenting. I shall now watch you discover the very beautiful and one-of-a-kind album "Tommy"! No other album - Who or otherwise - sounds like it! And it sounds like the album cover looks! Fave Who album is "Who Sell Out", but I do love "Tommy" and prefer it to "Quadraphenia".

[@donaldgibson4459]

My fav is 'I'm a sensation' overture, go to the mirror, especially Ann Margrets Performance of it. The song 'Right Behind You,' has always been my theme song my entire life throughout my, ever since I first saw that movie in 1975.

[@OpheliaD]

Another great video, Congratulations 👏🏼 Abi! Greetings from Greece! 🇬🇷

[@stayclean777]

Doozy of a discussion Abby, re. an l.p. that brought 60's culture to a whole new level. Always interesting getting your thoughts and perspective on these iconic records 👍

[@mbrando4403]

i LOVE this channel. i'm so glad you jumped to YT. Prince once described one of his albums as a "rock soap opera"

[@rjramone4051]

You just opened up your eye to your mind listening to this classic.

[@atomicjohnny]

Your knowledge of the details just knocks me over. I was 12 in 1969 when that record came out. Like you, it got me into the Who, so much so that they were the first band I ever saw in concert. But, you’re spot on. It’s not my favorite Who record, it’s not the best version of Tommy (seeing or hearing them perform it live is much better) or even my favorite rock opera (that would be the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway), but it’s got a lot of great stuff on it and it’s monumental in what it is and what it attempted to do, especially at that time. Great stuff! Keep it up!

[@syater]

Great overview and review of an album to which I will never listen. It is because of you that I now have some idea about what I am missing. So thank you. You're fab !

[@909sickle]

Every time I hear the Who I'm kinda blown away but for some reason I never feel like listening to them. They have a very hyper/frantic vibe that I think makes me kind of tense if I get into it. Maybe I just need to hear more songs. I read that the Stones didn't release the Circus thing because Mick thought it was bad, but others said it was because the Who was so awesome he thought it make him look like they didn't rock as hard.

[@abigaildevoe]

oh that's totally valid, the who is an onslaught of sound. can be exhausting to listen to at length! having seen and kinda worshipped the RNR circus performance of "a quick one while she's away"...yeah the stones absolutely shelved it because the who stole the show

[@909sickle]

​@@abigaildevoe in spite of how goofy everyone looks (I love 60s fashion too, I consider it peak fashion, but it got pretty goofy at times), Mick in Circus may be the coolest human I've seen humaning on film. The way he grinds and chews that vocal on Jumping Jack Flash. The general rolling around the stage floor. That someone can have that much fame and self-confidence and still get insecure about the Who is wild

[@xanadoooo]

Hi Abi, Hello from the UK Regarding concept pieces I would love to hear your take on Rush’s 2112, Also love the humour in your videos.

[@abigaildevoe]

rush was one of my favorite bands in high school, i don't have 2112 yet somehow (rush is pretty hard to find in my area) but it's definitely on my radar for an episode!

[@nikolanikolic1366]

If you haven't watched it since posting this video I really recommend the movie and it's soundtrack. Tina Turner as the Acid Queen alone is worth watching :D

[@thewhoize]

The Who=genius, The first North American performance of Tommy in concert, Grande ballroom Detroit, Abigail you are well on your way to becoming a WHO Logan!

[@jltbass56]

Hi Abby! Fantastic review! Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie singing Tommy's Holiday Camp. Love the expanded Live at Leeds and Odds and Sods.😘💕

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Great Video! I just recently broke out my copy of Tommy and cleaned it and jammed it to it. I was thinking of getting the new Half Speed but mine sounds really good and its in great shape. Also, Go to the Mirror is my FAVORITE song on the album - its the one that sticks in my head long after. Im not even really a big Who fan - agreed 60's Who! Cool Video!

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Love this very beautiful and it was a great video and the music was also great.

[@dennismason3740]

Who's Next is also excellent.

[@roymusejr5939]

Great review and love the outfit ✌🏻❤️🤘🏻

[@sayaka8587]

One of the Who's best Favourite tracks Overture,it's a boy,1921. Christmas Go to the mirror See me, feel me, listening to you. Never rated Pinball wizard although it's most people's most remembered track. Lifehouse is townshends finest work even if never full completed by the Who. Lost interest in the Who around 76 due to Townshends ramblings and changing his opinions seemingly every day. Love your review Take care🥰❤️😇

[@jeffmason3785]

A great semi-deep dive into what I always thought of as an iconic near-miss of an album. I was a huge Who fan when I entered my high school years in the 70s. While I really enjoyed many moments of Tommy, I found it increasingly hard to listen to the whole thing straight through, dropping into "highlights only mode" when it went on the turntable. Quadrophenia remains my go to Townshend opera, even though it's narrative is even more nebulous than Tommy. Perhaps I identify more with the Helpless Dancer than the Seeker. (Vinyl Monday Quadrophenia someyear?)

[@tonysloggett106]

loved it when it was released don`t think I could listen to it in its entirety now...always found it curious that Pete included one cover version in this whole opera, Sonny Boy Williamson`s Eyesight to the Blind....keep up the good work Abby!!!

[@paulunderwood4046]

1st listened to Tommy in 1984 on an old record player and record collection I found at a relatives house . Hooked !

[@user-sj8su8vz1l]

Late to the party but loving your enthusiasm and knowledge of all this great music. A few words on playing Tommy in its entirety- the old record players didn't automatically flip records. Instead, you loaded the two albums on a spindle, first loading record #1 with side one face up, followed by record # 2, side two face up, and then hit play. The record player dropped the first album, side one, then would drop the second album, side two. Then the listener would flip the two records over and press play, resulting in side three dropping first, followed automatically by side four. Hope that helps...

[@cgcvinyl]

There's no way you could run out of video ideas! Do Surrerealist Pillow by the Jefferson Airplane! The Zombies Odessys and Oracles. The Animals. The Twain Shall Meet. I can go on and on. Lol. Love your channel so much!

[@abigaildevoe]

it's funny you mention surrealistic pillow, that was the last episode of vinyl monday that only appeared on my instagram! as of now i'm planning to revisit 20 of those 38 albums i covered before bringing the series to youtube

[@TheNightBadger]

Love Tommy. Bonkers fun. The question always becomes... Tommy or Quadrophenia?

[@VinylPiper]

Great thoughts on this amazing record.

[@TransAmBandit]

Hello Abby. Nice video. I liked hearing a younger take on this album. We all have our individual personal tastes in music,thank God. I can not even begin to mention how many GREAT BANDS there were from 1955 to 1978. People have for the most part forgotten about this golden age of music. SAD. May I say first off. The U.S.A. pressing of this lp was on Decca as you mentioned. But as you said it was also on Tracks records from London. But it was also released on a second pressing on Polydor records in Europe. I am an avid collector of LP`s & CD`s. Have 14.000 lps & 20.000 cds in my collection so far.

[@richardmorgan1588]

I saw the Tommy on Broadway show in Indianapolis (It was a traveling show). This show did not feature The Who but it was authorzed by Pete Townshend. To this day that is the most amazing, most dazzling live show I’ve seen and I’ve seen The Wall and Dark Side live! Don’t get me wrong! Those were amazing shows but Tommy was just on another level with the incredible live special effects and the perfect musicianship of the band which played in the background shadows but still played live! I’ve seen The Who at least twice and I saw The John Entwistle Band in a local night club! One of the Who concerts was a surprise performance of the entire Quadrophenia! Alan Parsons has called Pete Townshend a genius! The original Tommy is considered one of the best recorded rock albums of all time. Just listen to the clarity of those acoustic guitars! Those of us who love The Who are in great company!

[@daveharris7734]

Having bought Whos Tommy when it first came out on vinyl; and still have it. I partied hardied listened to the music but not understanding the message behind it. Quadrophenia was my favorite.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I saw the movie version first before hearing the original album, and the movie actually helped put the story together for me. First off, Tommy witnesses his father BEING KILLED by his wife's boyfriend, not the other way around. Also, the Tommy-becomes-a-religious-leader arc makes perfect sense because what's a guy going to do with all his fame and fortune after he regains his senses - not to mention it's a medical, psychological and physiological miracle he overcame the loss of his senses, which were actually just in his own mind, anyway. When one lives throuh a miracle, he becomes born again and thinks he can lead - lead to what, I have no idea...but he thought he could...lead. So the religious arc makes total sense. I do wish Tommy had had a happier ending, just being cured would have been enough for me, along with the millions I'd made playing pinball without even knowing it. One thing that wasn't brought up here because it has more to do with the movie and its soundtrack album is Eric Clapton's version of Eyesight to the Blind, which is better in the movie than it is on the soundtrack LP. It was great enough on the soundtrack album, but it was cut short to just a couple of verses...the movie version has Eric Clapton's hair suddenly grow out to look like the Clapton we knew of at that time, not to mention his belting out a repeat of the second verse while the crowd chants "Marilyn" as this church service was actually held in the Temple of Monroe. 😅 That in itself also makes perfect sense as it satirizes anyone who thinks they have enough charisma to make themselves and their existence into a religous experience, if L. Ron Hubbard can hear me. Oooooo, L. Ronnie - L. Ronnie - L. Ronnie......Ronnie.......

[@jenniferschillig3768]

In the original album and in the Broadway musical, it's the new boyfriend who gets killed by the father. I guess Ken Russell thought it was more impactful the other way around, or maybe he just wanted to give Oliver Reed more screen time. In the Broadway show, it was clearly self-defense...the boyfriend, who's not presented all that sympathetically from the get-go, goes ballistic and hits Tommy's mother when she tries to get him to leave, then pulls a knife on Tommy's dad, who shoots him in self-defense. He's later shown being acquitted by a court on those grounds, but the trauma of witnessing it all is too much for little Tommy, who shuts down his senses.

[@craigfazekas3923]

Tommy, to me, works in a way few others in the genre did. The ambiguity of the story line is full of holes which are left open for conjucture- for all of us to try to figure out all these years later. Much like Genesis' The Lamb, or possibly a movie like The Shining. But I prefer Quadrophenia, mostly for the music & and the story line is more relatable. And the movies of both ? Quad also reigns !!! 🚬😎👍

[@flaviopitanga65]

Brilliant album ❤

[@donaldgibson4459]

As most people guessed; Tommy was Peter Townsand's childhood story. I read his autobiography. Then found his autobiography on a audio CD disc set. He narrates it. I very strongly recommend that audio set to electric guitar players; who like to play loud. "The sound of the Orbs". Have you heard it? When I saw the movie in 1975 I thought , and still am crazy about Anne Margret. I'm so glad that when Roger Daultry met Peter Townsand in highschool; that he asked Townsand to help him start a band. (Ref.; Peter Townsand's interview in; "The Trouser Press" magazine /1979?). I was 13 when the Woodstock performance was released. I thought; Who are these guys!

[@phosphorescentscotsman]

The Tommy studio Lp. is one thing, BUT Live at Leeds WILL LIFT YOU OFF THE GROUND!

[@abigaildevoe]

i listened to live at leeds and watched isle of wight '70 while making this video. both really got me into the who after this conundrum of an album!

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

Elton John's version of Pinball Wizard is really great!

[@garryiglesias4074]

In my case, although a "huge" fan of Elton's work, I can't stand his version... To me Pinball Wizard requires Townsend fast riffs.

[@ogam5]

@@garryiglesias4074 : Townsend HIMSELF certainly recognized EJ's version was MUCH more fully realized.....

[@garryiglesias4074]

@@ogam5 I have my own taste, I don't need people driving my taste, even if it's Pete himself. I'd rather listen to Elton's own work, which I love (Yellow Brick Wall, Song for Guy, etc.)

[@BlueSky...]

Nice review Abby! I think Tommy is okay, but not their best effort. All of my favorite songs on this album are the instrumentals---Overture, Sparks, and Underture.

[@gamesview3313]

I like more the Overture from Supertramp and The Wall is much better then Tommy. But it's a album that everyone must have in his recordcollection.

[@MarsHottentot]

TOMMY is one of those albums my mother played a lot back in the early 70s so, yeah, I love it. My fave Who is WHO SELL OUT and LIVE AT LEEDS, though.

[@MarsHottentot]

I think I already gushed over SF Sorrow - it's THE BEST. Did you see the Stones Rock & Roll Circus? I thought the Who blew the Stones out of the water (apparently the Stones tried to sell it to them😂). But the Stones were in real trouble - I think Jones was dead just a few weeks later? Cool seeing Tony Iommi playing with Jethro Tull!!

[@abigaildevoe]

my favorite of theirs is The Who Sell Out as well! and yes, the who was a standout act of the show, as was the dirty mac supergroup. i find myself going back for that version of "yer blues" more than anything else from that performance

[@MarsHottentot]

@@abigaildevoe oh, damn, I forgot all about that - yeah, Dirty grimy Mac - I dig Yoko wailing, too!

[@josephvandurme6649]

The instrumentals are the best

[@Gravyballs2011]

"Gotta feeling '21s gonna be a good year. Especially if you and me see it in together."

[@jenniferschillig3768]

I like the fact that the movie and Broadway musical changed the timeframe to World War II, not WWI. (In the musical, when the boyfriend sings "twenty-one is going to be a good year", he means Tommy's mother's twenty-first year.) It makes more sense for Tommy to come of age in the fifties and sixties, when rock music and unconventional religious movements were becoming more and more common.

[@patlampo9288]

Ohhh my Gosh! Reviewing another favorite of mine😀✨✨✨✨✨✨👍thanks 2 weeks ago I got the Abbey Rd remaster. Another album Ive known most of my life. The DECCA version has a very great loud sound.

[@marciap-vc]

Hi Abby, nice video. When it comes to rock operas or any operas for that matter, I've just learned to appreciate the musicianship that's going on instead of trying to figure out any plot as most often I'm disappointed when I find out about the plot. Also, some recommendations for you, if you don't mind my being pushy. If you haven't watched The Kids are Alright, do so (think it's free on Prime), it's one of the BEST rock documentaries of all time. It has The Who's performance from Rock and Roll Circus where they do a Quick One and they absolutely kill it. Which overshadowed and shamed The Rolling Stones which is why The Rolling Stones didn't release it for so long. The Who is an interesting band in that what's normally considered a rhythm section isn't the case in this band, the rhythm was most of the time, provided by Townshend. So, if you liked the bass on Tommy, you'll love it on Quadrophenia. Which I think you will likely enjoy. Despite what I wrote earlier about operas, it's fairly easy to follow. It's set in mod era England and since the 60's seem to be your thing you should check it out sooner rather than later. As well check out that movie, again mod era England. The acting is superb and it packs an emotional punch, it'll stick with you for a couple days after you watch it. As well you have to watch Tommy the movie, it's so god damn ridiculous, it's absolutely fantastic in its campiness. Ann Margaret will likely become your role model after watching it, lol, as she badly cut her hand during the baked bean scene. And frankly, baked bean scene should be enough to convince you to watch it, lol.

[@abigaildevoe]

i love the rock and roll circus recordings, that performance of "a quick one" is my favorite! (i have mick J's "AAAAAAH" from the circus performance of "you can't always get what you want" as one of my ringtones. always throws bystanders off, never gets old.) a very kind subscriber gave me a copy of quadrophenia recently, so many commenters like you have said i'll like it! that point you make about bass playing the role of a lead instrument is really good. i think that's why i dig the doors - the keys played the role a lead guitar typically would.

[@brianf8487]

Nothing is as bad as Peter Gabriel's reverse Mohawk!! Agreed! 😂✌️

[@abigaildevoe]

everything is temporary but reverse mohawk is forever!! haha

[@derekroberts6654]

Tommy” is AWESOME on “Live @ Leeds” i got the double disc deluxe edition with the entire album performed on disc 2… Check out Elton’s version of “Pinball Wizard” from 1975 movie, the BEST cover on the soundtrack.

[@Boschini666]

We got almost the same edition. (that includes the booket). The funny detail I see here is, the label. Yours is awesome. Mine is a simple beige MCA label. But includes the whole details. Love this one. Have you ever seen the movie by Ken Russell from 1975? This is very special for me, because it was of my first steps into my two passions: Cinema and Rock and Roll, together. I will always be thankful with Pete Townshend and Ken Russell, because they "shown me way".

[@bblondahl]

The Who , Winnipeg 1976. $8.80 Tommy plus others. Great laser light show. Loudest concert ever.

[@stankatic8182]

I also reiterate , the move is a must !

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

And Phil Collins played Uncle Ernie. He looked so perved out! He was brilliant.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

Something I've wondered for a while: do you think the Beatles could have pulled off a rock opera like Tommy? I know Sgt. Pepper is considered a concept album, though the concept (of the Beatles playing the part of another band altogether) really only showed up in the title song, its reprise, and "With A Little Help From My Friends." But if they'd tried their hand at a full-blown rock-opera concept album like Tommy or The Wall, do you think they could have succeeded with it?

[@HarryPrenger]

I'm also more into the 60s Who. Especially Sell Out, their best album in my opinion. Anyway, great video again. Next up, The Basement Tapes?

[@abigaildevoe]

yes! and congratulations, you're the first person to notice next week's record in the shelves! (look at me go, listening to two challenging albums in a row haha)

[@slw59]

Your reviews are always so much fun to watch. In the double concept album category, my hands-down favorite is "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (1974) by Genesis. Like "Tommy", it has a storyline that's convoluted and bonkers, but the music is so good you don't care. Track that one down if you don't own it!

[@TTM9691]

That's the way it is for most rock operas: you get little snatches of what they're talking about and on repeated listens you start to figure it out, and you almost read interviews about it, or there's something on the album cover. "Joe's Garage", "Lamb Lies Down On Broadway"....'Arthur", "S.F. Sorrow", "Tommy", "Quadrophenia", "The Wall".... I never know (or care) what's going on in any of them, it's always about the music. For me "The Wall" is the most clear....and gets most bogged down in the side three stretch (notorious for double albums) because it sacrifices music for narrative. (side four has the same problem).

[@slw59]

@@TTM9691 After The Lamb, my 2nd favorite double album is "Tales from Topographic Oceans" by Yes. Talk about an album where you don't know the storyline! But as you say, you just don't care because the music is so wonderful.

[@TTM9691]

@@slw59 I'm not a bit "Topographic" fan but I do love "A Passion Play"by Tull, or "Three Friends" by Gentle Giant and those are two more where I have no idea what's going on! Basically it's all about the music! And that's something Townshend has NEVER understood. "Who's Next" was supposed to be part of a rock opera, and the world said "Who cares?!" (that should have been the title of the album!). And it became their best album because the music was so good. He didn't learn his lesson, makes "Quadrophenia" which was a disaster in concert, partly because he would take these long breaks between songs to explain the plot! Love Pete but man oh man could he be pretentious!

[@Stormaggedonx]

My copy also has sides 1 and 4 on the same disk, and now I know why! I’ve also always wondered what was meant to go inside the middle part, and now I know mine is missing the booklet 😭 I definitely recommend watching the movie. It’s umm…interesting

[@kenchristie9214]

The original Tommy LP was on the Polydor label.

[@Bootradr]

Wow, I never knew most of this information about Tommy. I knew it was a rock orchestra deal but I had no earthly idea what the plot was. I've never owned the LP or even a CD of it but I have a show or two from when it was played live. And it does sound better, as you mentioned, live I think compared to the studio songs I've heard over the radio. I'm very familiar with a lot of the songs having heard them on the radio through the years. But I had no idea this whole storyline was there and it was just a part of it I was hearing on the radio. And I never really understood the individual songs I did hear on the radio either. I do remember seeing the movie on TV many years ago though. What a trippy plot to this release. I'm not going to say I'm going out and finding this one, but at the same time, if I do come across it I might be tempted to get it if the condition and price are right. I've never listened to it all the way through having never owned it. But I've heard tons of things about it throughout my life. I'm glad you wrapped it up in one video so that it can be understood better and maybe understood if I ever listen to the whole LP. I'm open to checking out something from that great era of rock music so I may eventually be listening to it one day myself 🎶 Thanks for the details on what the whole Tommy LP / storyline is about.

[@sugadelicsavagesoul8623]

So you watched the movie but didn't realize the album had a storyline?? Ooohhkaaaay. Lol

[@Bootradr]

@@sugadelicsavagesoul8623 I never said that I didn't understand there was a storyline. I'd never understood the storyline is what I was saying. And to be honest, I don't even remember much about the movie on TV either other than it was pretty strange. This was probably somewhere in the 1980s when I saw it on TV and it was just all over the place in my mind. I don't even remember for sure if I watch the whole thing. And I sure couldn't tell you what the plot was in it today or even back then. But I never mentioned anything about not understanding Tommy had a storyline. It wasn't for me and I've never been a fan of The Who. Of like some of their songs but I've never bought any of their officially released LPs or CDs or tapes. Heck, I didn't even start getting into Pink Floyd a whole lot until I started listening to a boot then I bought back in the mid-1990s and then I started liking their 1975 to 1977 live shows a lot more. But yet I went and saw them, after Roger Waters departure, in 1987 at the Houston Summit because I was able to get two front row tickets for $20 from a friend that wasn't going to be able to go to the show. And I was very impressed after that. I had seen The Wall a few times at the midnight movies, and I did like some of the music, but I had no idea what the plot was or the storyline was for that show. Just because I saw it didn't mean I understood it or followed what it was trying to say. And through the years I grew to be my big fan of Pink Floyd through many of their years, some more than others.

[@Cabbie407]

If you watch the movie, the narrative becomes clearer. And it might hold a few surprises I won't spoil.

[@peterjetnikoff]

I love hearing what young 'uns make of classic rock as they don't have the filters of reverence earlier generations affect but just say how the records sound to them. I'm from only one generation on from Tommy but my first hearing of it was the soundtrack album of Ken Russell's surrealistic movie of it. Townshend "updated" the whole thing with a lot of synthesisers and it featured cast members on vocals (erm to Oliver Reed but wow to Tina Turner as The Acid Queen) which made the story clearer as a listening experience. A little later, as we young punk rockers were discovering a lot of great '60s music to bypass the Eagles-led '70s I bought a reissue of the '69 album. Boy, that took a long time to get used to after the brashness of the movie soundtrack. It just sounded hollow and flat by comparison. Much later, listening to it while doing the dishes or something, it just sunk in and I realised how strong it was. Since then, I've owned in every format I thought bested the previous one from the old LP to CD to DVD-Audio to the Blu-Ray pure audio. I can put it on anytime. Kudos for mentioning SF Sorrow and linking Almost Famous (a big favourite). Thanks :)

[@michaelwebster8389]

You should watch the movie it's great. I assume it's mainly about cults, perhaps in a wider sense with reference to the social movements in the 60s, and about the war scarred society Townshend grew up in. Yes flawed, but a great trip.

[@stereo999]

I heard Tommy when I was a kid before I knew of The Who because my dad had the 1972 London Symphony Orchestra version box set. He had a 'record changer' type turntable (those were very popular back then) - you could stack five or six records above to automatically drop down, hence the side one/side four configuration - which is now a pain since those type of turntables went out of style.

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

One day im gonna just drive, blasting Fiddle About on repeat

[@marydarko3380]

I just listened to the album for the first time before I started the video cause might as well, I've always wanted to listen to it and wow, it deserves the acclaim it's gotten. I love a good concept album and I definitely agree on the fact that some parts could've been fleshed out more. Listening to it was truly a journey. Can't wait to get this record on vinyl so I can light a candle the way William in Almost Famous does when he listens to the album for the first time, haha! (watching it now and I'm glad you mentioned it! it's definitely the reason I got into 60s/70s music too) After my first listen, my faves are Amazing Journey, 1921, Christmas, Underture and Pinball Wizard and Smash The Mirror. Also omg, had no idea as a former gleek that glee did pinball wizard, I have to go search that now!

[@richardelliott8352]

here's a little pin ball tip, if you ever run across a machine , although it is decidedly not fair play and also changes the flavor of the contest. One needs shoes with a stitched edge connecting the sole, a doc martins boot would be great, but any welt stitch shoe will do. Before you insert the money, you quietly set the legs up on the edge of your shoe sole, reducing the slant, so the balls don't drain as quickly. One might call it almost fair in some cases, where the adjustable legs are cranked to extreme money eating slants.

[@BlueSky...]

Off topic, but those old Decca labels are really cool.